• Nearly 5 million Italians immigrated to the United States between the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Many of the descendants of those Italians maintain ties to Italy through language, art, culture, food, family and friends. Some U.S. cities have neighborhoods known as "Little Italy" where people can experience Italian culture, but many Italian Americans have clubs to keep their heritage alive.
  
  

Italian American Club of Mahopac

• The Italian American Club of Lake Mahopac tries to enrich the community through social and cultural events that highlight Italian heritage. The club was started in 1928 as a way for Italians and those with Italian heritage to bond and share their history, language and culture. Various events throughout the year highlight and promote Italian American culture and community spirit, including high school scholarship awards, an annual family picnic, Columbus Day dinner and dance, Columbus Day Parade, an annual Children's Christmas Party, and the club's cultural and cooking shows on cable TV. At meetings, members of the club exchange ideas of how to promote their culture within the community.
  
  Italian American Club of Mahopac
  141 Buckshowllow Road
  Mahopac, NY 10541
  (845) 628-1695
  mahopac-iac.org
  
  

Calabrian-Heritage Italian American Organization

• The Calabrian-Heritage Italian American Organization (CIAO) was started for U.S. residents with family roots in all parts of Italy to help them rediscover their Italian heritage and culture. The club tries to promote educational advancement and career development in the Italian community, and pass on the language, history, traditions and customs of Italy to future generations of Italian Americans. CIAO offers scholarships to students expressing interest in Italian culture.
  
  Calabrian-Heritage Italian American Organization
  P.O. Box 841
  Carmel, NY 10512
  (845) 282-7037
  ciaoamerica.org
  
  

Bella Italia Mia

• Bella Italia Mia is a cultural and educational organization for Italian Americans in Maspeth, New York. The group tries to promote positive images of Italy, Italians and Italian descendants living in the United States. Bella Italia Mia shares books, newspapers, TV, movies, websites and lectures to highlight the contributions, accomplishments and life experiences of Italians. Meetings are on the last Saturday of each month.
  
  Bella Italia Mia
  PO Box 780526
  Maspeth, NY 11378-0526
  (718) 426-1240
  freewebs.com/bellaitaliamia
  
  

Cellini Lodge: Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA)

• Cellini Lodge is a chapter of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA). This is the oldest and largest national Italian heritage organization for men and women in the United States. OSIA has more than 650 chapters across the country. Cellini Lodge, founded in 1968 as a philanthropic and social organization, has more than 400 members. The club promotes the culture, traditions, language, legacy and contributions of Italians. Cellini Lodge meetings are on the first Monday of each month.
  
  Cellini Lodge
  2208 Jericho Turnpike
  New Hyde Park, NY 11040
  (516) 747-1680
  cellinilodge2206.org